How To Make Money With eBay - Expert Interview with Jason Butler | Ep. 250

• Jason explains that you can sell almost anything on eBay. He recommends starting with items in categories you already understand.

I went to a Salvation Army, found the Dwayne Wade jersey for $3, took the jersey home, took pictures, put it online for $45. It sold within two days.

• Start with what you know—sports memorabilia, board games, purses, or clothing—because you'll understand the value and demand.

• Jason shares his three main research methods for finding profitable items.

• Check eBay's dashboard for highest-selling items (electronics consistently perform well)
• Use the eBay app to scan UPC barcodes in stores to see sold prices before buying
• Cross-reference items on Poshmark and Mercari to validate demand

If the items are selling over there nine times out of ten it's also selling on eBay.

• Jason sources inventory from thrift stores and yard sales at least three weekends per month. He started by selling his own excess items but quickly ran out of inventory.

The thrift store is the cheat code, whether you want something for yourself or you want to flip something.

• Additional sourcing locations include Burlington, Marshalls, and other discount retailers during sales.

• Setting up an eBay seller account is completely free with up to 1,000 free listings per month. eBay charges approximately 10-11% final value fee only when items sell.

It's very easy to get started with because you can actually set your account up for free and do it in less than 10 minutes.

• This contrasts with Amazon, which requires a $35 seller account fee and has additional restrictions on used items.

• Jason notes that inflation has impacted sales across all platforms. His sales dropped from 15 per week to about 5 per week.

With inflation as high as it is right now, people aren't selling as much as they used to.

• Advice: Pivot to different items, lower prices, and run sales to adapt to market conditions.

• Average sell time is 2.5-3.5 months. Jason stores inventory in his home using shelves, closets, and tubs rather than paying for storage units.

When I started doing that [creating lots], I got most of my old crap out the store ASAP.

• Strategy for slow-moving items: Bundle into lots, improve photos, and update descriptions.

• Jason prefers sourcing from thrift stores and yard sales over dropshipping due to lower risk and complexity.

I've heard of eBayers getting their accounts suspended or deleted because... prices change, they don't send stuff, they get caught up in customs.

• Thrift sourcing advantage: Items are in hand within 10-15 minutes with no supplier complications.

• Jason shares his actual earnings: Previously $1,200/month, now approximately $600/month due to inflation.

In life, you got to ride the wave. Shoot, sometimes things won't be as good as it was in the past, but it's not going to last forever.

• Advice: Don't try to time the market—just start and adapt as conditions change.